I want to build a kick ass gaming rig for about $2500

[aefwing]

I have about $2500 USD to spend on a gaming rig. It has been a few years since I built a comp and I have not kept up to date on all the new technology. Could you guys suggest parts for me. I would like to include, keyboard, mouse, and display(s) in this budget.

Criteria:
1. Best bang for the buck
2. Upgradeable in the future
3. will run World of Warcraft and STWOR flawlessly with vid settings on high
4. SSD for operating system and the 2 games
5. 1TB HDD for files
6. blu ray/dvd writer
7. good case. Function before the way it looks

Could you guys please suggest components for this build that will all work together and play nice with each other, and also should I get WIN7 home or ultimate.

Thanks in advance

 

[killersquirel11]

What size/resolution do you want for a display?
Do you want more than one display?
Any size constraints on the case?
What features do you want in a keyboard/mouse (I know that I personally loathe wireless ones, but other people won't use anything but)

For starters,
CPU: i5 2500k or i7 2600k
RAM: 1 or 2x 8GB sticks (most upgradeable. Up to 32GB with a four-slot mobo if you take this route)
SSD: At least 120GB


I personally can't stand the limitations in Home Starter and Basic. Home Premium, Profesisonal, or Ultimate are all fine in my book. Your mileage may vary.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare

 

[aefwing]

The display is not someting i have put alot of thought or research into yet. I would like at least 2 displays if possible. the size /resolution is not that important. probably will use 22"-24" displays and limit them to the resolution that the video card can run the well at.

I have been looking at the i5-2500 pretty hard. Is the i7 2600 worth the extra money at this point?
what mobo do u sugest
what video cards should i be looking at and is it worth looking at SLI/Crossfire?

no constraints on case size i want something that is easy to work with and has room to work in and cool well so been looking at full atx towers

thanks for the quick response and questions killersquirel11.

 

[killersquirel11]

I'm no expert on high-end big cases (or high-end anything. You'd probably be best off taking what I say here with a grain of salt, since the most expensive computer I've ever built was $600). Two ~$50 models which are always a safe bet (both are ATX Mid tower):
Rosewill CHALLENGER
Antec 300

From a gaming perspective, the i7 isn't really worth it. The notable difference between the two is HyperThreading, which is useful in certain specific applications. Search around for benchmarks with what you'll be playing, but odds are there won't be much of a difference...

For future upgradeability, I'd recommend that you get a SLI/CrossFire-compatible system now, but stick with a single high-end graphics card (for the best kick ass-gaming rig (sorry)) for now and then a couple of years down the road throw in another in CrossFire/SLI and you're golden again.

Since you want your computer to be all that and a bag of potato chips, I'd recommend an X79 motherboard
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/x79-ud3-p9x79-pro-dx79si-benchmark,3111-24.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128532
With either a GTX 570 or 580, or a Radeon 7970.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-benchmark-tahiti-gcn,3104.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

As far as monitors go:
This one hit my price-performance sweet spot. You could probably afford something better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100
Either pick one from this list:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=20&Description=&Type=&N=100007617&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A46872&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A21328&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A46873&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A47909&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A49275&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A21329&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A22582&PropertyCodeValue=3098%3A21326&PropertyCodeValue=11051%3A58167&PropertyCodeValue=3019%3A19996&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A17843&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A9240&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A9242&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A57803&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A25153&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A9238&PropertyCodeValue=1099%3A17865&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A79101&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A59087&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A27803&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A56319&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A45498&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A197740&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A43526&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A50182&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A72790&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A264474&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A47038&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A50595&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A44446&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A165668&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A48721&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A165671&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A56318&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A88873&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A49765&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A147958&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A48652&PropertyCodeValue=3105%3A72789&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A21400&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A57100&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A21401&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A21391&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A58519&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A21395&PropertyCodeValue=3106%3A21398&PropertyCodeValue=2889%3A24671&PropertyCodeValue=2889%3A24673&PropertyCodeValue=2889%3A24672&PropertyCodeValue=2889%3A17878
Or try to find one that supports IPS (In-Plane-Switching). These have superior color accuracy and viewing angles. The big expensive Dells are VERY nice, I've had the pleasure of using a few (and setting up a lot more than that).

 

[elbert]

Putting down that much cash I highly suggest getting the i5 3570k.
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i5/Intel-Core%20i5-3570K.html
For the motherboard a z77 ASUS or Gigabyte.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1821/1/
8GB of 2133 RAM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476
Crusial 128GB SSD or 2 for a SSD RAID.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
For the case a cooler master HAF 932.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
2X HD7970.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102961
For the power supply a nice 1200w Cooler Master.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171055
A Noctua NH-D14 cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018
AS5 thermal grease.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
ASUS bluray burner.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135252

If you can wait till April that would be a killer system.

Windows 7 pro will get up to 192GB's RAM comparable and is only a few dollars more than the home premium stuck at 16GB's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992

I added no HD in protest of the price increases due to flooding. The HD makers have been near black mailing OEM's for high price contracts to ensure supply.

 

[killersquirel11]

Don't mind me, this guy knows what he's talking about...

 

[a4mula]

Here's my 3600x1920 IPS Eyefinity Portrait build that I'm currently considering.

The Synapse SSD is a cache solution. Why OS + 1 or 2 games, when you can have 90% of everything you run at SSD speeds?

This build doesn't include a Blu-ray capable drive, but I'm sure you could sort it out.

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: OCZ Synapse Cache 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($568.49 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX Full Tower Case ($178.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 24.0" Monitor ($329.00 @ Dell)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 24.0" Monitor ($329.00 @ Dell)
Monitor: Dell U2412M 24.0" Monitor ($329.00 @ Dell)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2521.27
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-01-29 17:46 EST-0500)

 

[aefwing]

What do you mean SSD is a cache solution. sorry if this is a stupid question but im not sure how this would work or how to do it
i assume it would somehow take info from the HDD to the SSD to feed the machine faster. but have no idea how to do that or how that would improve performance.
do you have a link that would explain what you mean to me.

thank you

and thanks to everyone who responded.

that pcPicker is awsome and a big help in this endevor http://pcpartpicker.com

 

[elbert]

What do you mean SSD is a cache solution. sorry if this is a stupid question but im not sure how this would work or how to do it
i assume it would somehow take info from the HDD to the SSD to feed the machine faster. but have no idea how to do that or how that would improve performance.
do you have a link that would explain what you mean to me.

thank you

and thanks to everyone who responded.

that pcPicker is awsome and a big help in this endevor http://pcpartpicker.com

Yup and the only thing it doesn't tell you is Intel's new 22nm CPUs and motherboards are coming in April. It also doesn't tell you that AMD and Nvidia's new video cards are coming out over the next 2 months.

Wait till April and pick up an i5 3570K or i7 3770k.
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i5/Intel-Core%20i5-3570K.html
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i7/Intel-Core%20i7-3770K.html

Also wait for the AMD 7990 or Nvidia 680.
http://dualprocessormotherboard.blogspot.com/2012/01/amd-radeon-hd-7950-hd-7990-release-date.html

MODEL___SKU___SP___ROP__core_CCLK__SCLK___M__blend__TMU__bus__Mtype__Mcap___TDP____Price
GTX690_GK100__32_*_24_=_768__825/__1650/_4600__72____96__512__GDDR5/ 2.00GB_270W__499 U.S. dollars
GTX680_GK100__32_*_22_=_704__750/__1500/_4200__66____88__448__GDDR5/ 2.00GB_230W__399 U.S. dollars
GTX670_GK104__48_*_12_=_576__825/__1700/_4600__48____96__384__GDDR5/ 1.50GB_190W__299 dollars
GTX660_GK104__48_*_11_=_528__725/__1450/_4200__44____88__320__GDDR5/ 1.25GB_155W__229 U.S. dollars
GTX655_GK104__48_*_10_=_576__650/__1300/_4000__40____80__256__GDDR5/ 1.00GB_130W__189 U.S. dollars
GTS650_GK106__48_*_6__=_288__800/__1600/_4600__24____48__256__GDDR5/ 1.00GB_105W__149 dollars
GTS640_GK106__48_*_5__=_240__700/__1400/_4200__20____40__192__GDDR5/ 1.00GB__80W__119 U.S. dollars
GT630__GK108__48_*_3__=_144__750/__1500/_2000__12____24__128__GDDR3/ 1.00GB__60W__89 U.S. dollars
GT620__GK108__48_*_2__=_96___700/__1400/_2000___8____16__128__GDDR3/ 1.00GB__45W__69 U.S. dollars
GT610__GK108__48_*_1__=_48___700/__1400/_2000___4_____8___64__GDDR3/ 1.00GB__30W__59 U.S. dollars

 

[a4mula]

http://thessdreview.com/our-reviews/sata-3/ocz-synapse-cache-64gb-ssd-review-top-caching-solution-at-a-great-price/

Here's a decent review of the Synapse, it also does a decent job of explaining the basics of SSD caching.